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1844 and The Movement of Destiny
1844 and The Movement of Destiny
Movement of Destiny
Lanz Cameron Khrystoffer D. Ege
Bible Teacher
Mindanao Mission Academy
We have learned that the 2,300-
day prophecy of Daniel 8 ended
in the year 1844
Since then, we have been living in “The Time of the End”
(Dan. 8:17) or the time just before the Second Coming of
Christ.
We have learned that in 1844, Christ
cleanses the sanctuary in heaven –
doing the work of the high priest during
the Day of Atonement.
However, as we have learned in our previous lessons
there are two Sanctuaries – one on earth, one in heaven.
If Christ is cleansing the Sanctuary in
heaven in 1844, there must be a work
of cleansing, and restoration of the
truths of the “everlasting gospel.”
(Rev. 14:6)
“Of all the great religious movements since the days of the apostles, none
have been more free from human imperfection and the wiles of Satan
than was that of the autumn of 1844. Even now, after the lapse of many
years, all who shared in that movement and who have stood firm upon the
platform of truth still feel the holy influence of that blessed work and bear
witness that it was of God.” (The Great Controversy, p. 401)
THE PREACHING OF THE SECOND ADVENT INVITED OPPOSITION
“The preaching of definite time called forth great opposition from all
classes, from the minister in the pulpit down to the most reckless, heaven-
daring sinner. “No man knoweth the day nor the hour,” was heard from the
hypocritical minister and the bold scoffer. Neither would be instructed and
corrected by those who were pointing to the year when they believed the
prophetic periods would run out, and to the signs which showed Christ near,
even at the doors. . .
THE REAL CAUSE OF OPPOSITION
God's all-seeing eye read their hearts. They did not love Jesus near. They
knew that their unchristian lives would not stand the test, for they were
not walking in the humble path marked out by Him. These false shepherds
stood in the way of the work of God. The truth spoken in its convincing
power aroused the people, and like the jailer, they began to inquire, “What
must I do to be saved?” But these shepherds stepped in between the truth
and the people, and preached smooth things to lead them from the truth.
They united with Satan and his angels. . .
Preachers and people joined to oppose this message from heaven and to
persecute William Miller and those who united with him in the work.
Falsehoods were circulated to injure his influence; and at different times
after he had plainly declared the counsel of God, applying cutting truths to
the hearts of his hearers, great rage was kindled against him, and as he left
the place of meeting, some waylaid him in order to take his life. But angels
of God were sent to protect him, and they led him safely away from the
angry mob. His work was not yet finished.” (Early Writings, p. 233-234)
As October 22 came nearer, the early Adventists sold their homes, property,
and gave away resources to spread the message and prepare for His coming.
But October 22 came and went, and Jesus did not return
-- a Great Disappointment
“Our fondest hopes and
expectations were blasted,”
“and such a spirit of weeping
came over us as I never
experienced before. It
seemed that the loss of all
earthly friends could have
been no comparison. We
wept, and wept, till the day
dawn.” – Hiram Edson
In October 23, as Hiram Edson was walking, he felt as if a hand was laid on
his shoulder and he seemed to have a vision of the heavenly sanctuary
where he saw that Jesus had that very day entered into the Most Holy Place
of the Heavenly Sanctuary to begin the work of judgment.
THE KEY THAT UNLOCKED THE MYSTERY OF THE DISSAPPOINTMENT
“The subject of the sanctuary was the key which unlocked the mystery of
the disappointment of 1844. It opened to view a complete system of truth,
connected and harmonious, showing that God's hand had directed the great
advent movement and revealing present duty as it brought to light the
position and work of His people.
. . .Light from the sanctuary illumined the past, the present, and the
future. They knew that God had led them by His unerring providence.
Though, like the first disciples, they themselves had failed to understand the
message which they bore, yet it had been in every respect correct.” (Great
Controversy, p. 423)
The remaining Adventists who saw the light of the heavenly
sanctuary. They studied their Bibles again and prayed for further
light.
In their Bible studies, they came to understand that while the date was
correct, the event they thought of was wrong – Jesus was now beginning
the work of the Day of Atonement in 1844. A work of cleansing the
sanctuary in heaven, and the pre-advent Investigative Judgment.
In their Bible studies, they came to understand the unchanging nature of
the Law of God and the eternal significance of the seventh day Sabbath.
In their Bible studies, they came to realize that the world was now entering
the “time of the end,” the “hour of His judgment,” and should be warned to
prepare for the imminent Second Coming of Christ.
And in December of 1844, during one of their bible and prayer meetings, a
17-year old girl by the name of Ellen Harmon (White) received a vision
from the Lord confirming their past experiences and the teachings that they
have rediscovered from the Bible.
In December 1844, 17-year-old Ellen received a vision from God. It was the
first of some 2,000 prophetic dreams and visions that would span the next
70 years of her life and form the basis for her personal testimonies,
sermons, articles, and books.
“I have read all her testimonies through and through, most of them many
times, and I have never been able to find one immoral sentence in the
whole of them, or anything that is not strictly pure and Christian; nothing
that leads any one from the Bible or from Christ; but there I find the most
earnest appeals to obey God, to love Jesus, to believe the Scriptures, and
to search them constantly. Such nearness to God, such earnest devotion,
such solemn appeals to live a holy life, can only be prompted by the Spirit
of God.” – John Nevins Andrews
Pioneers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
In an age of hopelessness,
God raised up a people in
1844 with a message of
hope
“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to
make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the
commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus
Christ” (Rev. 12:17)